Graduate Student Researcher: Frankie Cabahug, PhD Social Work.
Social service organizations play an important role in promoting positive settlement outcomes for immigrants. While a variety of newcomer-focused programs and initiatives were established to address the specific needs of this demographic, immigrants nonetheless interact with non-state non-profit organizations that broadly provide service solutions to the general public. We conceptualize these kinds of organizations as cosmopolitan organizations to reflect their aim of accessibility to all regardless of citizenship status. Cosmopolitan social service organizations (CSSO) play a vital role in immigrants’ settlement and integration processes by providing platforms for intercultural interaction and by facilitating engagement opportunities across difference. This study aims to synthesize findings and develop insights from current literature on immigrants’ access and participation within these organizations. Guided by the question, “What are the experiences of immigrants in CSSOs?” this report explores immigrant experiences in contexts as varied as neighbourhood and community spaces, local non-profit organizations, coalitions with state-based institutions, informal networks, and nation-wide educational associations. This report aims to enhance understanding of newcomer involvement across the social service landscape, as well as propose a fresh direction for organizational research on immigrant settlement and integration that may implicate practice and service delivery in our increasingly diverse communities.
The Infrastructure and Integration Lab 